A'o. 2.1 HOFFMAN ON THE BIRDS OF NEVADA. 233 



enough in size or proportions to separate them as a distinct species. 

 The only approach to Professor Baird's C. cacalotl was in the more grad- 

 uated tail feathers of one, in which the outer were 2.10 inches shorter 

 than the middle, other specimens having them nearer alike. He gives 

 the diiierence in C. cacalotl at 2.30, while in C. carnivortis it ranges from 

 1.60 to 1.90." The Doctor does not consider these specimens a distinct 

 species, although their average size is smaller than the northern speci- 

 mens, and the plumage, though more lustrous, is due probably to the 

 climatic effects of that region. 



Corvus frugivorus Bartr. — Common Crow. 



The Crow was found to be rare east of the Sierras by Mr. Eidgway, 

 who noted its occurrence near the Humboldt marshes and at the Truckee 

 Meadows. Along the cliffs, a few miles southeast of Bull Eun Mount- 

 ain, and again in a similar locality, at the southern extremity of Smoky 

 Valley, we found these birds in considerable numbers; their nests being 

 XJerched in the crevices from one hundred to two hundred feet above the 

 base of the nearly j)erpendicular walls of rock. None were observed 

 farther north in Nevada, though specimens were seen in California, near 

 Partzwick, just across the line. 



Picicorims cohmiManus (Wils.) Bp. — Clarke's Nutcracker. 



The only locality where specimens were seen during the whole journey 

 was on the northern slope of Mount Nagie ; one or two were secured 

 which proved their identity, the flight and habits generally so closely 

 resembling a woodpecker's as to sometimes mislead the most acciu"ate 

 observer at first sight. All the reports given indicate that this species 

 frequents the coniferous regions of the most elevated mountains. 



Gymnoldtta cyanocepliala Mas. — Maximilian's Nutcracker; Pifion Jay; 

 Blue Crow. 



This species was found rather common throughout that belt of conif- 

 erous trees represented by the jjiuon {Pinus edulis), extending more 

 particularly and uninterruptedly from Eureka southward to below Hot 

 Spring Caiion. Again , at the occurrence of the same belt at M ouut Nagle 

 and at Mount Magruder, the species was detected, but not so frequently, 

 owing, perhaps, to the rather limited amount of food-supply, the chief 

 source being obtained from the above-named tree, though when this 

 fails, as is the case with the jjinou, which does not bear every year, they 

 resort to other berries, as juniper, cedar, «S:c. Like the preceding, they 

 do not resemble the Crows in habits, but partake more of the nature of 

 true Jays. 



Pica rustica hudsonlca (Scop.) Baird. — Black-billed Magpie. 



Was found rather numerous in the mountainous i)ortions of the lower 

 interior of the State. This species is reported as having been found by 

 nearly all observers throughout the Interior Basin, from the Sierra Ne- 

 vada eastward. Eesident. 



